The information on the file left Tao Lengshuang and Madam Sheng astonished and puzzled. Was what it said true or false?
"Mo Lingxi, this file states that most of Zhou Wenxing's subordinates come from the martial world, and some willingly joined him. Do you think this is true?" Tao Lengshuang asked.
Mo Lingxi believed it was likely true. "After learning that the Black Hand was Zhou Wenxing, I investigated his subordinates. I found that several of his subordinates were notorious figures from the martial world who, for some reason, later pledged allegiance to Zhou Wenxing."
"In your opinion, would people who were notorious criminals suddenly pledge allegiance to a court official? Especially one holding a high position?"
Tao Lengshuang slowly shook her head, indicating it was unlikely. "Unless there were significant mutual benefits involved, or Zhou Wenxing could help them survive. But from the current situation, that doesn't seem to be the case."
"Furthermore, a more important point is, why would notorious criminals from the martial world suddenly pledge allegiance to Zhou Wenxing? In your view, is someone orchestrating this from the shadows?"
Mo Lingxi stated it was difficult to say. "It's possible Zhou Wenxing is secretly recruiting them, or perhaps they believe Zhou Wenxing can help them. We can't conclude that someone is manipulating things from the shadows based solely on this."
Tao Lengshuang nodded in understanding. The more she thought about it, the more she felt something was amiss, and the more peculiar it seemed. "Let's investigate this thoroughly to see if Zhou Wenxing is acting alone or if someone else is involved."
Mo Lingxi felt the same. "Also, the file states that Zhou Wenxing is secretly contacting military generals. It's estimated he wants to usurp my adoptive father's power to prove he is more capable than my adoptive father."
"Someone like him?" Madam Sheng's face showed disgust, her words filled with contempt and disdain. "A schemer who only operates in the shadows. He can't even compare to a single strand of my husband's hair."
Tao Lengshuang and Mo Lingxi exchanged a smile. This was what they called love making one see beauty, even in the ordinary.
...
The next day.
After finding out Zhou Wenxing's whereabouts, Tao Lengshuang and Madam Sheng went to where he was. Xiao Feng, meanwhile, was taken to the palace by Mo Lingxi, as he needed to adapt to his new identity as an heir.
This was a bookstore, frequented mostly by scholars and literati, with a small number of young ladies from prominent families. Women like Tao Lengshuang and Madam Sheng were almost nonexistent here.
Both women were exceptionally beautiful, and their every move was elegant and captivating, thus drawing considerable attention. Some people recognized Madam Sheng and Tao Lengshuang and came forward to greet them.
Zhou Wenxing also noticed Madam Sheng. One glance was all it took for him to be unable to look away. Madam Sheng looked exceptionally beautiful today!
Madam Sheng had put on a slight adornment today, intentionally highlighting her beauty and elegance. After greeting many people and introducing Tao Lengshuang, she led her to a spot near Zhou Wenxing.
"Lengshuang, didn't you want to buy medical books? See if there's anything you want here. Mother will buy it for you," she whispered.
Tao Lengshuang picked up a book and, while flipping through it, spoke to Madam Sheng. "Adoptive mother, please don't announce my return for now, to avoid any malicious speculation from those with ulterior motives."
Madam Sheng agreed with a smile. "Everything will be as you say. Also, I was thinking of preparing a banquet to formally introduce you to everyone, so they know you are not my adopted daughter, but my own flesh and blood."
Hearing this conversation, Zhou Wenxing's pupils contracted slightly, and his eyes instantly turned gloomy. Tao Lengshuang and Qi had acknowledged each other!? How could this happen?
According to his plan, Tao Lengshuang should not have been recognized by the Sheng family so quickly. Why was there such a significant oversight?
"Oh, isn't this Lord Zhou?" Tao Lengshuang acted as if she had just noticed Zhou Wenxing and greeted him with a shallow smile. "Lord Zhou is also here to select books? By the way, my adoptive mother and I haven't thanked you yet. Thank you for helping to send Sheng Li to prison."
Madam Sheng chimed in, covering her mouth with a light laugh. "We certainly must thank Lord Zhou for this. If it weren't for Lord Zhou's righteous act of bringing a relative to justice, Sheng Li would not have been sent to prison."
Speaking of which, she lightly clapped her hands and said to Tao Lengshuang, "Lengshuang, Sheng Li can no longer use the surname Sheng. She is not my daughter, so she shouldn't bear the Sheng surname. I need to discuss this with her."
Tao Lengshuang's peripheral vision was fixed on Zhou Wenxing's expression. She spoke to Madam Sheng, "Adoptive mother, please handle this as you see fit. It doesn't matter what Sheng Li's surname is; what's important is that she can no longer try to seize the Sheng family's assets."
"Speaking of which, if Sheng Li hadn't revealed that she wasn't my adoptive mother's daughter back then, my adoptive mother and I wouldn't have recognized each other so quickly."
Seeing Zhou Wenxing's increasingly somber expression, the corners of her lips curved into a sharp arc. The more Zhou Wenxing wanted to achieve something, the less she would let him succeed, and she would make him taste all sorts of suffering.
Madam Sheng agreed with a hum. "As you say, Lengshuang, let's go look over there. That section is specifically for travelogues. I heard a few new ones have arrived."
Tao Lengshuang said "Okay," nodded at Zhou Wenxing, and then went with Madam Sheng to select books in another area.
Zhou Wenxing was not unaware that Tao Lengshuang and Madam Sheng were deliberately saying this to him. However, he thought about how things had far exceeded his plans and had turned out this way.
Originally, according to his plan, he wanted Madam Qi and Sheng Tianchun to witness firsthand the tragic death of their biological daughter before their eyes.
At that time, he would not only defeat Sheng Tianchun but also reclaim Madam Qi, proving to everyone that he was the only one truly worthy of Madam Qi.
However, ever since Tao Lengshuang's temperament had drastically changed, things had become completely different, forcing him to alter his plans time and again. Yet, it had still ended up like this.
"I can only proceed with the backup plan," he said, his gaze fiercely fixed on Tao Lengshuang and Madam Sheng, his eyes filled with determination. Madam Qi would only be his; no one else could ever snatch Madam Qi away.
Tao Lengshuang and Madam Sheng felt Zhou Wenxing's gaze and exchanged a look, conversing in low tones.
"Adoptive mother, I see that Zhou Wenxing is preparing to make a drastic move. In the future, you must be more careful even at home. It's hard to guarantee he won't resort to desperate measures."
"Lengshuang, you must also be vigilant. Given how much Zhou Wenxing has harmed you over the years, his current demeanor suggests he won't let you go."
Tao Lengshuang repeatedly assured him she would be careful. She glanced at Zhou Wenxing, then shielded Madam Sheng and moved to a place where he couldn't see them, contemplating how to completely resolve the issue of Zhou Wenxing without leaving any potential threats.
As she was thinking, a hidden guard landed before her and whispered that the Crown Prince requested her presence in the palace, stating there was a very important and urgent matter to discuss.
Tao Lengshuang knew Zi Cheng's character. If it weren't truly urgent, the Crown Prince wouldn't have specifically requested her presence in the palace. But what urgent matter required her to go to the palace?
With this question in mind, after sending Madam Sheng back to the residence, Tao Lengshuang proceeded to the palace.